Standoff suspect slips away, officers arrest neighbor

NEWAYGO COUNTY – Sheriff's deputies arrested a man at the scene of a Tuesday night standoff – initiated when a suspect allegedly held a woman hostage at gunpoint before her escape – but not the guy at the center of the emergency call.

Authorities, while trying to establish contact with the hostage suspect for negotiations, were confronted by a neighbor, who refused to listen to police commands. That man was charged with obstructing police and transported to the county jail, sheriff's Lt. Chad Palmiter said.

The original suspect managed to escape the home, police learned upon entering the house about 3:30 a.m. today.

Hours later, investigators gathered information that led them to another residence and the suspect surrendered there, police said. He is charged with felonious assault.